DE3414962C2 - Process for cleaning endoscopes and endoscopes therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for cleaning an endoscope, a shut-off device or cover (25) is placed on the open end of an air / liquid supply valve cylinder (20) and thereby closes this open end. A liquid tank (28) is connected via a liquid supply pipe (27) to a first air supply connection (10) which opens in a connection piece (9) of the endoscope (1) and which is connected to one end of an air supply channel (5). A connecting cap (32) is arranged on the connecting piece (9) so that a second air supply connection (11) which is in communication with the air supply channel, and a liquid supply connection (12) which is in communication with a liquid supply channel (6), respectively are connected to each other. An air supply pump (30) is connected to the liquid tank. When the pump is actuated, liquid is supplied from the liquid tank to the first air supply port. The liquid which has been supplied to the first air supply port is discharged from a nozzle (7) which is in communication with the other ends of the air and liquid supply channels through these channels and the air / liquid supply valve cylinder, the interior of these channels and the cylinder is cleaned.

Description

The invention is based on a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and an endoscope according to the preamble of claim 10.

An endoscope generally has various channels for supplying or extracting air or liquids on. Therefore, when cleaning a used endoscope, not only the outer surface of the Endoscope, but also the channels inside are cleaned. The word "clean" here and in the following is used includes the steps of rinsing with water to remove contaminants, Disinfect with a disinfectant after rinsing and then rinse with water again. These Cleaning steps are usually carried out in the order listed above. With conventional Methods of cleaning the ducts must use a cleaning fluid injection tube must be inserted into the connection of each channel and the valves of each channel must be opened. This makes the Connection of the cleaning solution injection tube to each channel and a switching actuation of the valve of each channel is necessary. The known methods are therefore relatively complicated. Continue to join These systems still have the important problem that incomplete cleaning often takes place, in particular the narrow portions of the valve bodies or the portion of the cylinder which extends from the valve body is covered.

In view of this problem, the same applicant has a cleaning device for cleaning the channels an endoscope which is free from the above-mentioned problem. This proposal was made in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-15836 filed on Jan. 29, 1983. According to this device, the cleaning liquid via an air / liquid supply cylinder and a suction cylinder is fed into a control section of the endoscope in such a way that simultaneously the inside of the channels and the inner surfaces of the cylinders are cleaned. More precisely, the Valve body that is in the air / liquid supply cylinder and inserted in the suction cylinder are pulled out, after which adapters are inserted into the open cylinder inserted "'ground. Liquid supply tubes, the rnii These adapters are connected to a liquid supply pump. Becomes a liquid supplied from the liquid supply pump to the respective cylinders, then flows from the cylinders the suction opening and the nose at the distal end region of the endoscope and to the air supply opening, the Liquid supply opening and the suction opening of the connection section through the liquid supply channel, the air supply duct and the suction duct and cleans them.

The various channels of an endoscope, however, usually have different inner diameters. More accurate said the air supply channel and the liquid supply channel are mostly smaller in their diameter than the suction canal with a *, single canal is the portion of the channel which extends into the insertion portion of smaller diameter as the portion of the channel that extends into the fiber optic cable when therefore liquid from the cylinders is supplied to the individual channels, the liquid flows to the channel or the channel sections, which have the lowest flow resistance and a sufficient amount of cleaning or disinfecting liquid cannot flow into a channel that has a greater flow resistance This leads to the problem that the channels of the endoscope are again incompletely cleaned.

Further known cleaning devices are for example from DE-OS 31 08 574, DE-Gm 78 35 596 and DE-Gm 79 06 114 also known these known cleaning devices show a complicated structure with a large number of supply lines, which must be connected to the endoscope.

The object of the invention specified in claims 1 and 10 is thus to provide a method for interior cleaning to create an endoscope and to design an endoscope so that its channels are easy to clean. The subclaims contain advantageous developments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention are based on FIGS. 1 to 9 explained. It shows

F i g. 1 a sectional view of an endoscope for illustration, how the channels of the endoscope are cleaned according to a first embodiment of the invention will;

2 shows the connecting piece in an enlarged sectional view of the endoscope according to FIG. 1;

F i g. 3 is a sectional view of an endoscope to show how the channels of the endoscope through a second process according to the invention are cleaned;

4 shows the connecting piece in an enlarged sectional view of the endoscope according to FIG. 3;

5 shows the connecting piece in an enlarged sectional view according to FIG. 3 and a cap covering the connector;

F i g. 6 a sectional view of an endoscope for explanation, how the channels are cleaned by a third method according to the invention;

F i g. 7 shows an enlarged sectional view of the connecting piece of the endoscope according to FIG. 3 and a connecting pipe;

F i g. 8 in sectional view of an endoscope to explain how the channels through a fourth according to the invention Process to be cleaned; and

F i g. 9 shows, in an enlarged sectional view, the control section of the endoscope according to FIG. 8th.
The term "liquid" used in the following includes both a cleaning and a rinsing or disinfecting liquid.

In Fig. 1, an endoscope 1 is shown schematically in a sectional view. The endoscope 1 has a Control section 3, an insertion section 2 extending from the control section 3, and an optical fiber cable 4, which extends from the control section 3 from. Inside the endoscope 1 are

different channels formed. An air supply channel 5 and a liquid supply channel 6 extend through the insertion section 2, the control section 3 and the fiber optic cable 4. The distal ends of the air supply channel 5 and the liquid supply channel 6 are connected to one another and lead to an air / liquid supply nozzle 7 at the distal end region 2a of the insertion section 2. The air / liquid supply nozzle 7 is like this arranged to face the outer surface of a viewing window (not shown) to air or spray liquid on this observation window. The fiber optic cable has at its free end 4 a connector 9. The connector 9 has first and second air supply connections 10 and 11 on, both of which are in communication with the air supply channel 5, as well as a liquid supply connection! 2, which is in communication with the liquid supply channel 6 If the connector 9 with one in the Light source device, not shown, is connected to the drawing, the first air supply port 10 is provided with a Air supply pump connected in the light source. The second air supply port 11 and the liquid supply port 12 are connected to a liquid supply tank not shown in the drawing. A The auxiliary fluid connection 16 is formed in the control section 3. It is connected to the fluid supply channel 6 via a check valve 16a in connection.

An air / liquid supply cylinder or air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 is in the middle between the air supply channel 5 and the liquid supply channel 6 used. The upper end of the valve cylinder 20 opens to the outside of the control section 3 there. The air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 has a bottom surface and a flange 24 which is integrally formed at its open end portion. A shut-off device or cover 25 is arranged on the valve cylinder 20 around the open end portion close. An engagement slot 26 is formed on the inner surface of the lid 25 and stands with the flange 24 engaged so that the lid 25 cannot be accidentally removed even if the internal pressure in the valve cylinder 24 increases

A piston is normally inserted in the valve cylinder 20. The piston serves to establish or break a connection between upward flow channel sections 5a and 6a and downward flow channel sections 5b and 6b of the air supply channel 5 and the liquid supply channel 6. When the cover 25 is placed on the cylinder 20, the piston is removed beforehand.

One end of a liquid supply pipe 27 is connected to the first air supply port 10. The other end portion of the liquid supply pipe 27 is inserted airtight into a liquid tank 28 which is filled with a liquid L , and the distal end of the pipe 27 is immersed in the liquid L. One end portion of a pressure pipe 29 is airtightly connected to the liquid tank 28. One end of the pressure tube 29 opens to the upper portion within the liquid tank 28, and the other end of the tube is connected to an air supply pump 30. When the pump 30 is operated and the internal pressure in the liquid tank 28 is raised, the liquid L is expelled from the liquid supply pipe 27. As in Fig. 2, the second air supply connection 11 and the liquid supply connection 12 open in a mouthpiece 31 of the connection piece 9. A connecting cap 32 made of elastic material, such as. B. Rubber is arranged on the mouthpiece 31. The second air supply connection 11 and the liquid supply connection 12 are thus connected to one another via the free interior space of the connecting cap 32.
The procedure for cleaning the endoscope 1 will now be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid 25 is disposed on the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20. At the same time, the liquid supply pipe 27 is connected to the first air supply connection 10 on the connector 9, while the connection cap 32 is attached to the mouthpiece 31 so that the second air supply connection 11 and the liquid supply connection 12 are in communication with each other. Now, when the air supply pump 30 is operated, the inside of the liquid tank is pressurized by the air from the air supply pump. Therefore, the liquid L is supplied from the liquid supply pipe 27 to the upflow passage portion 5 a of the air supply passage 5. Part of the liquid.

which has flowed into the air supply channel 5. enters the upflow passage portion 6a of the liquid supply passage 6 through the free inner space of the connecting cap 32. The liquid L continues to flow from the upflow passage portions 5a and 6a into the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 to wash the inside of this cylinder. It then flows through the downward flow channel sections 5b and 66 of the air supply channel 5 and the liquid supply channel 6 and exits the air / liquid supply nozzle 7.

With the flow conditions of the liquid L described above, the respective channels 5 and 6 are cleaned along their entire length and at the same time the interior of the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 is cleaned. Since the liquid L flows so as to flow out from the air / liquid supply nozzle 7, impurities can be completely removed therefrom.

According to the first embodiment described so far, the liquid when the air / liquid supply valve cylinder is closed and the air and liquid supply connections are connected to one another at the fitting, from the air supply connection and discharged from the air / liquid supply nozzle at the insertion section. Therefore, the The air supply channel and the liquid supply channel are completely cleaned along their entire length and at the same time the inside of the valve cylinder is cleaned. Since the liquid is forced from the Ports on the connector is fed to the channels and from the distal end of the insertion section drained, the ducts can be completely cleaned along their entire length, by themselves when the individual channels have different inner diameters. Since the liquid continues flows in such a way that it is discharged from the air / liquid supply nozzle, contaminants can, which located in this area should be rinsed out. The process is also extremely economical as there are none special handles are required to feed the liquid to the endoscope.

Although the first embodiment is used in conjunction with an endoscope which does not have a Has a suction valve cylinder or a suction channel, the method can easily also be used with an endoscope can be used, which has such a suction channel and a suction valve cylinder.

In Fig. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment, the endoscope 1 having a suction channel 15

7 8

and a suction valve cylinder 19. In the following- in the upper space above the liquid L in the

only the components are described, which are tank 28. The other end of the pressure pipe 29 is with

differ from the first embodiment. Connected in an air pump 30.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are identical or similar components to those used for cleaning the endoscope 1 Reference numerals as in the figures of the first 5 measure of the second embodiment will now be described-embodiment marked. ben. First, as shown in FIG. 3 shown, the

In the second embodiment according to FIG. 3, the suction channel 15 extends along the entire length of the lines 25 and 22 on the cylinders 20 and 19. The first to third connecting duct lengths of the insertion section 2, the control section 3, sections 36, 37 and 38 of the liquid supply pipe 34 and the optical fiber cable 4. The end section of the Ab- io are connected to the connections 10, 111, 12 and 13 verbunsaugkanales 15, which is on the side of the insertion end. When the air pump 30 is then operated, section 2 is located, the liquid tank 28 serves as the instrument insertion channel due to the air supply from the 156. The distal end of the instrument insertion channel pump 30 is pressurized and the liquid L 156 is available with a suction opening 17 at the distal end. is connected by the first, second and third connection areas of the insertion section 2. The 15 sections 36, 37 and 38 of the Aul'wärtsstromkanalabproximal end of the instrument insertion channel 156 cut 5a, 6a and 15a of the air supply channel 5, the opens outside of the control section 3 to a liquid supply channel 6 and the suction channel 15 tweezers connection 18. The tweezers connection 18 is also supplied . The liquid sealed in the top of a removable lid 18a. Flow channel sections 5a and 6a flows in, the instrument insertion channel 156 is connected to the proximal 20 to the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 to wash the interior of the remaining section of the suction channel and then flows from the nales 15 via the suction valve cylinder 19. Air / liquid supply nozzle 7 via the downward flow-The cylinder 19 is located near the air / liquid supply channel portions 56 and 6b of the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 on a side surface of the control channel. The liquid L flows from the downward portion 3 arranged. The upper end of the suction 25 flow channel section 15a of the suction channel 15 in the valve cylinder 19 opens to the outside of the suction valve cylinder 19 to its inside to the wa control section. see and then flows down the downflow channel

The suction valve cylinder 19 has a bottom surface cut 156 from the suction opening 17.

and a flange 23 which is integrally formed at its When the liquid L flows as described above,

open end or its upper end is formed. 30 the individual channels 5, 6 and 15 and the valve

A cover 22 is arranged on the valve cylinder 19, cylinder 19 and 20 simply and completely cleaned, such as

to close the open end. An engaging slot in the first embodiment.

33 is formed in the inner surface of the lid 22 when in the case of the second embodiment a clothes. The flange 23 comes with the slot 33 into a hole in the lid 18a on the tweezer connector so that the lid cannot be removed, 35 18 is formed so that a small amount of liquid m even if the Internal pressure in the suction valve L can escape through this hole, the pin P cylinder 19 can rise. Normally, a piston in the catenary connector 18 should be reliably cleaned. Next, the suction valve cylinder 19 used to create a connection can instead of the liquid supply pipe 34 a connection between the upward flow channel section cap 40 made of an elastic material, such as, for. Are as rubber jtfj 15a and the downstream passage portion 156 mi herzu- 40 attached to the connecting piece 9, to provide DIE h or prevent. Before the cover 22 is covered on it and the liquid tank 28 can be arranged with the cylinder 19, the piston is removed from this cap via a single liquid supply pipe Li. The other end of the suction channel 15 is connected to 41, as in FIG. 5 shown. JH a suction connection 13 in the connection piece 9 in In the second embodiment, the liquid connection. 45 Δ from the terminals 10,11,12 and 13 supplied to the

According to FIG. 4 is a liquid supply pipe 34 with liquid, but can also be from a liquid

the air supply connections 10 and 11, the auxiliary fluid connection 16, as shown in FIGS

supply connection 12 and the suction connection 13 are supplied to the. In the embodiment according to

Connector 9 connected. The liquid supply pipe Fig. 6 and 7 is one end of the liquid supply pipe

34 has a main channel section 35 and first through 50 27 connected to the auxiliary fluid connection 16. The third connecting channel sections 36, 37 and 38 on the other end of the tube 27 is inserted in an airtight manner in the liquid switch from one end section of the main channel ab- keitstank 28, which branches off with the liquid L section. The first connection channel is filled. The distal end of the tube 27 is immersed in the incision 36 is fluid with the first air supply connection 10. One end of a pressure pipe 29 is connected with. The second connecting channel section 37 55 is connected to the liquid tank 28 and opens in, at its distal end, a connecting mouth to the upper region of the tank. The other end of the piece 39, which is connected to the mouthpiece 31 of the connection tube 29 with the air supply pump 30,
closing piece 9 is connected. The second air supply connection 10 and the suction connection 11 and the liquid supply connection 12 opening connection 13 are connected by a connecting pipe 42 to the mouthpiece 31. The third connection 60 is connected. A cap 43 is attached to the mouthpiece 31, the channel section 38 is attached to the suction connection 13, in which the second air supply is connected. Port 11 and the liquid supply connection 12 open.

The other end section of the main channel section The cap 43 has a through opening 44,

35 of the liquid supply pipe 34 is airtight in one which connects the air supply connection 12 to the outside liquid tank 28, filled with a liquid L.

ity L a. One end of a pressure pipe 29 is airtight. In this third embodiment, the air supply

connected to the liquid tank 28 and opens drive pump 30 is actuated, and the liquid L in the

Tank 28 is pressurized by the air, the liquid L pressurizes and opens the check valve 16a and flows into the downflow passage portion 6b of the liquid supply passage 6 from the auxiliary liquid port 16. A part of the liquid which has flowed into the downflow channel section 6b flows out through the air / liquid supply nozzle 7 and the remaining part flows into the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20. The liquid which has been supplied to the cylinder 20 flows through the downflow channel section 5b of the air supply channel 5 from the nozzle 7. Furthermore, it flows into the upward flow channel sections 5a and 66 of the air supply channel and the liquid supply channel. The liquid flows from the upflow channel portion 6a via the liquid supply port! 2 and the through hole 44 to the outside. The liquid L, which has flowed into the upflow channel section 5a of the air supply channel 5, flows into the downflow channel section 15a of the suction channel 15 via the connecting pipe 42 and the suction connection 13 and is then fed via the downflow channel section 156 of the suction channel via the suction valve cylinder 19 to the suction opening and discharged there .

According to the third embodiment described so far, all channels are 5, 6 and 15 and both Valve cylinders 19 and 20 cleaned at the same time as in the second embodiment.

In this third embodiment, when a small hole is formed in the cap 43, the inner surface of the second air supply port 11 be reliably cleaned.

The present invention can also be applied to an endoscope which has a gas supply valve and has a gas supply channel.

The F i g. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment for an endoscope with a gas supply valve and a Gas supply duct. In the description of this embodiment, only the components are described in more detail, which differ from the previous embodiments.

According to FIG. 8 is a gas supply valve 21 in the control section 3 of the endoscope 1 in the vicinity of the suction valve 19 arranged. A gas supply channel 45 is connected to the gas supply valve 21. An end to the Gas supply channel 45 is with the air supply channel 5 in an area between the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 and the air / liquid supply nozzle 7 connected. The other end of the gas supply channel 45 is in communication with a gas supply connection 14, which is located in the connection piece 9 at the distal end of the fiber optic cable 4 opens. The gas supply valve 21 has a construction as shown in FIG. 9 on. It shows you Cylinder 46 and a valve mechanism 48 therein. A valve chamber 49 is concentric in the cylinder 46 formed. A valve body 50 which can be brought into contact with a valve seat 52 is arranged in the interior of the valve chamber 49. The valve body 50 is normally closed by a spring 53 biased so that it is in abutment with the valve seat 52, i. he is in the direction of the valve-closed state biased. Thus, the valve body 50 normally forms a seal in a path 21a, which an upflow channel portion 45a and a downflow channel portion 456 of the gas supply channel A flange 54 is integrally formed at the open end of the cylinder 46. A lid 56 is placed on the cylinder 45 of the gas supply valve 21 to close the open end thereof. A Protrusion 57 extends downward from the center of the lid 56. When the cover 56 is on the cylinder 46 is arranged, the projection 57 presses the valve body 50 against the biasing force of the spring 53. so that the valve body 50 is separated from the valve seat 52 to open the path 21a. An engagement slot 58 is formed in the lid 56 to engage the flange 54.

At the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1, a cap 60 is arranged in a removable airtight manner. The air / liquid supply nozzle 7 and the suction opening 17, which are arranged in the distal end of the insertion section 2, are connected to one another via the free interior space of the cap 60. One end of the liquid supply pipe 27 is connected to the suction connection 13, which opens in the connection piece 9. The other end portion of the liquid supply pipe 27 is airtightly inserted into the liquid tank 28 filled with the liquid L , and the distal end of the pipe is immersed in the liquid. One end of a pressure pipe 29 is airtightly connected to the tank 28 and opens into the upper free space of the tank. The other end of the pressure pipe 29 is connected to the air supply pump 30. The method according to the invention in accordance with the fourth embodiment will now be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the covers 22, 25, 56 and 18a are arranged on the cylinders 19, 20 and 21 and the tweezer connection 18. At the same time, the air supply pipe 27 is connected to the suction connection 13, whereas the cap 60 is placed on the distal end piece of the insertion section 2. Thereafter, when the air supply pump 30 is operated, the liquid L in the tank 28 is supplied via the liquid supply pipe 27 to the upflow passage portion 15a of the suction passage 15 via the suction port 13. The liquid L which has flowed into the upward flow channel section 15a flows via the suction cylinder 19 into the downward flow channel section 156 of the suction channel 15. It is released from the suction opening 17 into the cap 60. At this time, the forceps connector 18 is closed by the shutter 18a. Thus, the liquid cannot escape from the tweezer connection. The liquid L that has flowed into the cap 60. then flows into the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 via the air / liquid supply nozzle 7 and the downflow channel sections 5b and 6b of the air supply channel 5 and the liquid supply channel 6. The liquid L in the air / liquid supply valve cylinder 20 flows into the upflow channel sections 5b and 6b of the channels 5 and 6. It flows out from the first and second air supply connections 10 and 11 and the liquid supply connection 12. A part of the liquid L which has flowed into the downstream channel portion 5b of the air supply duct 5, flows via the downstream channel portion 456 of the gas supply channel 5 to the gas supply valve cylinder 46. The liquid L which has been supplied to the gas supply valve cylinder 46, flows through the upstream channel portion 45a of the gas supply channel 45 the inside of the cylinder 46. as in FIG. 9 shown by the arrows and then flows out of the gas supply connection 14.

Due to the previously described flow conditions of the liquid L , all channels and cylinders of the endoscope 1 can be cleaned at the same time.
In the fourth embodiment, the liquid L

11th

from the suction connection 13 to the endoscope 1, but the liquid can also from one of the other connections 10, 11, 12 and 14 are fed. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Example 5 The present invention can also be applied to endoscopes which have an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel with nozzles separated from one another at the distal end of an insertion section stay in contact. Furthermore, the device for supplying the liquid can, for example be a plunger operated syringe; an air supply pump is not required.

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Claims (15)

Patent claims: 1. A method for cleaning the channels of an endoscope, which comprises: a control section, an insertion section and a supply section through which at least one optical fiber channel, an air supply and liquid supply and / or suction channel from a connector (9) at the free end of the supply section to distal end (2a) of the insertion section (2) are guided, and at least two valve cylinders (19, 20, 21) which are assigned to the associated channels (5, 6, 15, 22) in the control section (3), characterized by closing the open ends of the valve cylinders (19, 20, 21) and Pressurizing a cleaning agent from at least one of the ends of the channels and guiding of the cleaning agent through the corresponding channels and valve cylinders in the connection piece (9) flow out. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning agent from the other Ends of the air supply channel (5) and the liquid supply channel (6) and fed through these channels and the air / liquid supply valve cylinder (20) from the air / liquid supply nozzle (7). 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the cleaning agent is supplied from a fluid auxiliary connection (16) and from the Deflated the air / liquid supply nozzle (7) and the other ends of the air and liquid supply channels (5,6) will. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a detergent tank (42) which is filled with the detergent, at least with one of the three connections via a detergent supply pipe (27) is connected and that the detergent is in the detergent tank under Pressure is applied to supply the detergent to the detergent supply pipe (27). 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in an endoscope which has a suction channel (15) which extends into the endoscope (1), and one end of which extends into the the distal end of the insertion section (2) opens and the other end of which extends into the connector (9) opens, and in which a suction valve cylinder (19) is arranged in the control section (3) so that it communicates with the suction channel and one end of which extends to the outside of the control section extends towards the cleaning agent from at least the end of the air supply channel (5), or the other end of the liquid supply channel (6), or the auxiliary liquid connection (16) or the is fed to the other end of the suction channel. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning agent from the other End?! dSS 'ιι £ * - »ιι £ ιιΚι-1 / α« αΙοΓ t ^ \ Hoc dMccirrUmtcTii- feed channel (6) and the suction channel (15) and fed from one end of the suction channel and which (7) is drained via the three channels and the valve cylinders (19, 20). 7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the other ends of the air supply duct (5) and the suction channel (15) are connected to one another via a connecting device (42) and the cleaning agent is supplied from the auxiliary fluid connection (16) and from the air / Liquid supply nozzle (7), the other end of the liquid supply channel (6) and one end of the The suction channel is drained through the three channels, the valve cylinder and the connecting device will. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in an endoscope which has a gas supply channel (45) which extends into the endoscope (1), and one end of which with the Air supply channel (5) in an area between the air / liquid supply nozzle (7) and the air / liquid supply valve cylinder (20) is in communication and the other end of which opens into the connector (9), and in which a gas supply cylinder (25) is arranged in the control section (3), which is in communication with the gas supply channel stands and one end of which opens to the outside of the control section, the open end of the Gas supply valve cylinder is closed and a connector (60) at the distal end of the insertion section (2) is arranged so that cleaning agent between the air / liquid supply nozzle (7) and one end of the suction channel (15) can flow and the cleaning agent of at least the other end of the air supply channel or the other end of the liquid supply channel or the auxiliary fluid connection (16) or the other end of the suction channel or the other The end of the gas supply channel is supplied. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the cleaning agent from the other End of the suction channel (15) is supplied and from the other ends of the air supply channel (5). the liquid supply channel (6) and the gas supply channel (45) via the four channels and the three Valve cylinder (19, 20, 25) is drained. 10. Endoscope with a control section, an insertion section and a supply section through which at least one light guide channel, an air supply and a liquid supply and / or suction channel from a connector (9) at the free end of the supply section to the distal end (2a) of the insertion section ( 2) and with at least two valve cylinders (19, 20, 21). which are assigned to the associated channels (5,6, 15,22) in the control section (3) and whose head can each be replaced by a cover, in particular for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a liquid supply device ( 27, 28, 29, 30) can be connected to at least one of the ends of the channels (5, 6, 15, 22). 11. Endoscope according to claim 10, characterized in that that an auxiliary fluid connection (16) is provided which is connected to the fluid supply channel in Is in communication, wherein the liquid supply device with at least one of the ends of the channels and the auxiliary connector can be connected. 12. Endoscope according to claim 10 or 11, characterized characterized in that the liquid supply device comprises a container (28) containing detergent is filled, a pump (30) for compressing the cleaning agent in the container and a liquid supply pipe (34), which with the ends of the channels opening into the connecting piece, is connectable 13. Endoscope according to claim 10 or 11, characterized characterized in that a cap (40) is provided which can be arranged on the connecting piece (9) and forms a connection between the channels which open into the connector. 14. Endoscope according to claim 10, characterized in that a cap (60) on the distal end of the insertion section can be arranged and connects the channels opening there 15. Endoscope according to claim 14, characterized in that that the liquid supply device is connectable to one end of the channels in the Open connection piece.